Below are some frequently asked questions regarding filing a complaint and how it’s handled within the Technion.

1.What is sexual harassment exactly?

Speech, behavior, action, gaze, reference, or proposition – all or any of which are of a sexual nature that refer to, or demean, or degrade, or are directed at someone who is not interested in such. Additional details can be found under the “Regulations” tab.

2. Can online communication also constitute sexual harassment?

Absolutely. Demeaning references or repeated propositions that refer to a person’s sexuality who is not interested in such, whether posted online or in correspondence between two individuals – constitutes sexual harassment. Publication of a photograph, video, or recording of a person done in bad faith and focused on his or her sexuality, in circumstances where the publication may be degrading to them, and which has been done without their consent – also constitutes sexual harassment.

3. According to the Technion’s regulations, who is considered a harasser?

The provisions of the regulations apply to any occurrence of sexual harassment or intimidation, carried out by a person of the Technion toward another person of the Technion, as well as harassment or intimidation carried out by a person of the Technion toward a passerby, whether occurring on the Technion premises or within the framework of the Technion. Examples include: a student, faculty member, contract employee, administrative employee, guest.

4. Who do I contact if I feel I was sexually harassed at the Technion?

At the Technion, there are a variety of officials that any complainant can choose to contact: the Commissioner for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Coordinators, Commissioner in the Technion Student Association, a Security Officer on campus – more details can be found under the “Team” tab.

It is important to remember that the harasser is the one who broke the law. You may not be the first nor the last person to be harassed by this person.

5. Am I obligated to submit a formal complaint?

 No, the choice to submit a complaint or to consult with the Commissioner is at the discretion of the complainant.

6. And what if I didn’t express to the harasser/offender that I’m not interested in his or her behavior?

The responsibility for the harasser’s behavior lies with them, and if it involves relations of authority or influence of the harasser toward the complainant – you are not obligated to express objection to their behavior. It is the harasser’s obligation to refrain from such behavior due to the authority and/or influential nature of the relationship.

7. Briefly describe the process.

Once you have contacted us, the Commissioner will immediately begin investigating the case. If there are suspicions of additional complainants, the Commissioner will make an effort to locate them, all while maintaining the utmost discretion. The person against whom the complaint is directed will be invited for an inquiry with the Commissioner, who will share with them the details of the complaint and will request their response. Their response will also be recorded. If the Commissioner believes that there is a need for further investigation, she may summon additional individuals. The Commissioner will make every effort to conduct the investigation as quickly as possible. After completing the investigation, the Commissioner will forward her conclusions to the competent authority at the Technion (according to the identity of the harasser – Vice President of Human Resources, Senior Vice President of the Technion, Vice President of Operations, etc.).

In minor cases (that is, those at the lower threshold of sexual harassment) or in cases where the Commissioner determines that sexual harassment did not occur – the Commissioner is authorized to conclude the investigation herself, either through mediation or by making recommendations for further action.
For more severe cases, the process continues through a disciplinary tribunal.

8. What if I changed my mind during the investigation?

The choice is yours as the complainant at any time. The complainant may withdraw the complaint, but it is important to remember that, according to the law, the Technion is obliged to take action regarding any case of sexual harassment it becomes aware of, while ensuring discretion and the complainant’s anonymity.

9. Apart from the Technion authorities, are there other entities that can be contacted?

 In addition, and at the same time, any complainant may also contact assistance centers and organizations, and file a complaint with the police, depending on the circumstances, and at their discretion (details can be found under the “Helpful Links” tab). Furthermore, the complainant may also file a claim in the Regional Labor Court.

10. Can I submit an anonymous complaint – that is, request that my name not be disclosed to the person I am submitting a complaint about?

You can contact the Commissioner even if you do not intend to submit a formal complaint. The Commissioner will do everything in her power, including having a conversation with the person you complained about, with your consent, without disclosing your details. However, without agreeing to provide testimony it will not be possible to conduct a thorough investigation of the accused, which would likely expose the complainant’s details. It is important to note that even an anonymous complaint has benefit, as it puts the issue on the agenda and allows us to maintain a safe and respectful campus (of course, when it comes to a complaint in which the mere conversation with the harasser will result in the disclosure of the complainant, it will not be possible to summon him for an investigation without the complainant’s consent to disclose their identity).

11. And what if I don’t want a formal procedure, but only to send a warning to the offender?

Your position as a complainant carries significant weight, but there are cases where the Technion is obligated to take more severe action – when there are additional complainants, when this is not the first offense, and so forth.

12. What are relations of authority and influence?

Authority relations are relations in which one side has control over the other side, including indirect influence and authority. This stems from differences in age, power, ability to impact status, and so forth.
Relations of influence – an intermediate category between egalitarian relations and authority relations. Relationships of influence exist when there are power disparities between the two sides, in which it is clear that one side’s ability to influence the other weakens the ability of the weaker party to express their lack of interest in the proposition.
For example, a course teaching assistant, even if it is a fellow student in the same degree program; any instructor or lecturer; a program coordinator, a dormitory supervisor, a senior employee at the Technion. In general, there is a range of positions in which there is influence or authority with regard to the complainant, per a case-by-case basis.

13. Did the lecturer/advisor/teaching assistant sexually harass me?

 “…at first, I thought he admired me because I’m smart and do excellent academic work. It was very flattering… Suddenly, I noticed the way he looks at me, and then he offered me to sit down with him over a cup of coffee to discuss the work I submitted. He doesn’t let up, he keeps approaching me and says all sorts of intimate things, and I’m always busy trying to avoid him. I have another two months until the course is over. Should I bother to file a complaint?”

Yes, this is sexual harassment. If this has happened to you, submitting a complaint will help the institution to remove the harassing lecturer/advisor/teaching assistant, as well as to continue to work towards creating a safe learning environment on campus. Within relations of influence, it is not your obligation to show that you are not interested, rather the harasser is obliged to refrain from such behavior – both according to the law and according to the rules of the Technion.

14. And what if he intimidates me later on?

Intimidation following sexual harassment is a serious criminal offense. The Commissioner for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment will immediately take all necessary measures upon receiving the complaint to ensure the harasser cannot impact your grade in the course or any other matter related to you.

15. I’m worried that if I file a complaint, I’ll get a reputation of someone who “causes trouble” and it will affect my career.

The investigation of a complaint is done discreetly, in such a way that the details of the complainant are not shared with any other entities in the institution and will remain confidential.

16. The harasser is my advisor in my degree program. If I file a complaint, it may harm my personal and professional advancement. How can the Technion help me so that I can continue my degree program without harassment?

As part of the process, the Commissioner will work in full coordination with the complainant with the aim of easing the process for them as they continue their studies, and will provide them with a personalized support network.

17. What if the harasser is a work colleague who creates a disrespectful or harassing work environment?

This is sexual harassment. Creating a hostile work environment of general harassment, even if not necessarily directed to a specific individual, also constitutes prohibited sexual harassment. The Commissioner and authorities at the Technion have the authority, obligation, and tools to address this circumstance.

18. “The bystander” – I witnessed someone else being harassed, what should I do?

 It is crucial to report this information to the Commissioner in order to stop the harassment, as long as it persists. And in any case, it is important to raise the issue in order to create a protected and respectful learning and work environment. We are committed to this goal and invest many resources into it.